The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-28
BIG OREGON CAVES.
How Large They Are No One Knows
But They Bid Fair to Be Interesting.
From the oakland Enterprise.

From the Oakland Enterprise.
For several months past there has been
considerable interest in the but little known
Cooper caves. Since the discovery Of human
bones in these caves last spring by some
adventurous young men, various parties
have visited them.
Prompted by a desire to ascertain the
truth regarding these caves, their exact
location, characteristics, subterranean con-
struction, ETC., the Enterprise detailed a
party, armed with torches, rope, extension
ladders, compass and scientific apparatus to
prosecute a thorough search. The searching
party started from Oakland last Sunday
morning at o'clock, and after a pleasant
trip through the picturesque valley, a dis
lance of four miles, a halt was ordered, the
torches primed water secured, etc. From
this point to within 200 yards of the caves
is most beautiful though steep incline,
which winds gracefully around the noun
tain side, with overhanging branches of
green laurel, the tall, stately fir, and shady
oak. This lonely trail has been called Cave
avenue.
Having gained the summit and all being
ready, the torch was lit, ropes adjusted, and
the party began to descend. Having reached
the first level distance of thirty feet, in
struments were compared and the journey
begun. After leaving the level for ten feet
large chamber fifteen feet high and sixteen
feet long, containing large cavities, project
ing rock, ETC., was found: narrow passage
leads from this to another chamber ten by
five feet, composed of granite formation,
with here and there decaying sandstone.
From the main entrance west lou
feet, thence northwest and north $50
feet, another and smaller chamber was
found, connected by a narrow lead
southeast to the 10foot, and another due
south to the 15-foot chamber back to the
entrance. Some of the leads are extremely
narrow, and extend down in for thousands
of feet. Evidences of animal and vegetable
life were found in many places. species
of bat was found having no eyes. On the
top of the mountain, which is largely OF
solid stone, one can strike with stick or
stone, and sharp, we'll defined hollow
sound is produced, proving beyond a
doubt that these caves extend perhaps
for miles into the bowels of the earth.
Parts of human skeleton supposed by
many to be that of an indiana skull, right
and left innominata, coccyx, portion OF
the vertebra, right and left femur two lbia,
one fibula, one humerus, one radius, Two
ribs, portion of ulna, phalanges, metacarpal
and metatarsal bones-were found on Sun
day, March IL, in the largest cavity OF the
Cooper caves Those who have seen them
say they are upward of 100 years old, ana II
not an Indians bones they are probably
those of some hunter or early settler VINO
lost his way and sought shelter in these caves;
The parts Of skeletons now in the museum at
the Umpqua Academy, it Is stated, were also
found in The largest cave, which has never
been fully explored.
The scenery from the top of the noun
tain, where the caves are located, is grand.
From down in yawning chasin thousands
of feet below comes the musical sound OF
rushing waters, as the mad, foaniing stream
courses its way onward until lost IN INC
hidden recesses Of the distant hills. Here,
too, one can form an idea of what splendid
farms and cultivated valleys we have II,
Douglas. The secluded valleys, nestled
among the gigantic mountains, with fields
of ripening grain swayed by every passing
breeze, the sheep, cattle, horses and swine
grazing lazily on every swurrf, Suggest 10
our mind all nature in holiday attire